Alluring Mask

CHAPTER 34

CHAPTER 34

VALENTINA IMARA MEADOWS

I could hardly take my eyes off the full-body mirror in my small walk-in closet. Siguro halos ilang minuto rin akong nakatayo rito, just admiring myself. My hair was in a clean bun, and I used my two golden stiletto-type weapons, Saf, to keep my hair from completely falling out.

Confident na ako sa likod ko ngayon dahil ang peklat na iniwan ni Helios ay wala na; thanks to Ria, siya ang nagasikaso no'n. Mabuti nga at ilang araw pa muna ang lilipas bago ang mismong birthday party ni Hyperion. I can be sure that no one will see any scars there. The backless part of the long gown I chose reaches down to my waist.

Kaya napagisipan ko na lang din na hindi nakalugay ang buhok ko dahil dito. Maganda ang pagkakadesign ng backless, kaya mas mainam na nakikita ito kaysa sa matakpan ng buhok ko.

I did my own makeup, and I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out. It's a light makeup look, but my lipstick is a dark, bloody red. It's definitely eye-catching, especially because of my full lips. Napangiti na lang ako habang nakatingin sa harap ng salamin at sinigurado na wala akong makikita na ni-isang ikakasira ng gabi ko ngayon.

It's perfect. I'm perfect!

I took a deep breath and calmed myself before stepping out of the walk-in closet. I went straight to the vanity table to grab Hyperion's invitation card because Atlas said we were supposed to give it to someone before we could enter his house. Mabilis kong pinasok 'yon sa loob ng I slipped it into my dark red rhinestone clutch purse ko at pinasadahan ng tingin ang buong katawan ko sa harap ng salamin ulit sa huling pagkakataon bago lumabas ng kuwarto.

"Akala ko ba naman hindi ka na aalis d'yan sa kwarto mo." "Yon agad ang bungad ni Oceanus sa akin ng makarating ako sa living area.

Oceanus was wearing a cream-colored t-shirt and white shorts. He was carrying a hoodie, while his black backpack was already slung over his back since he was headed straight for the airport on his way to Mexico.

"Daming mong arte, ah," sagot ko at pabiro siyang inirapan. "I just made sure I looked presentable, okay?"

Napailing na lang si Oceanus at nauna ng maglakad papunta sa nakabukas na elevator. I stepped inside and waited for the elevator to ascend to the upper ground.

"Atlas is going to borrow your car again," I said, staring at my reflection in the closed elevator doors.

"Alam ko. Baka naman sisirain niyo ulit 'yon, ah? I wouldn't be surprised if you returned it with just the tires and no sign of the car's body."

I suddenly glanced at him and made a face.

"Alam mo, you're such an overreactor, 'no? Don't worry, Atlas will replace your car if anything gets damaged. Atsaka correction, sa birthday party ang punta namin at hindi sa gyera."

Hindi ko naiwasan na mapaawang ang bibig ng makitang inirapan niya ako. I elbowed him sharply in the side and shot him a dirty look.

"You idiot. You know how to roll your eyes now? Sinong nagpuro sa 'yo n'yan?" iritado kong tanong sa kan'ya.

I heard the familiar sound of the elevator arriving at our floor. Awtomatikong bumukas ang pintuan at sabay na kaming dalawa ni Oceanus na lumabas. When I looked around the warehouse, I saw people busy putting various things into large boxes.

"I only learned it from you. You love rolling your eyes at me whenever you get annoyed," he replied.

Hindi ko na rin tuloy maiwasan na irapan siya sa naging sagot niya at sabay na rin kaming lumabas sa warehouse. I even heard him muttering under his breath, and I could tell he was probably complaining again about me rolling my eyes at him.